Side-delivery rake and swath turner



Oct. 9, 1928. 1,687,310

' P. RANDALL SIDE DELIVERY RAKE AND SWATH TURNER Filed Sept. 28, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 9,19% 1,687,310

P. RANDALL I SIDE DELIVERY RAKE AND SWA'IH TURNER V Filed Sept. 2 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 2 a 47 55 50 1,2 16 45 55 ii 15 I 52 59 51 2 Z6 ,52 xi 56 5 55 o l f w w 21 J ya/672%?" Pa 70% fiarzdafl Oct. 9, 1928. 1,687,310

P. RANDALL SIDE DELIVERY RAKE AND SWATH TURNER Filed Sept. 28, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet :5

V Q G Patented (let; 9, 1928.

rARKn RANDALL,

OF"LILLE, FRANCE, 'nssrenoa'ro INrEBNA'rIonaL HAnvnsrEn COMPANY, A CORPORATION or :NEW'JER-SEYL' SIDE-DELIVERY RAKE ANnswATH TURNER.

' Application an :se temberzs, 1927,. sem nbi..222;47s,;and-in.een an August 5,- 1926.

This invention relates to side-delivery hay-rakes of the type having the. essentially horizontal rake-bars fastened on two revolving heads, for instance, cylinder-discs or cylinder-spiders, in such a manner that'the rake-teeth always hang vertically. The rakebars are arranged obliquely to theline of travel, so that the swath is operated upon in an angular manner. Y

, Such a side-delivery rake is convertible into a tedder by reversing the direction of rotation of the rake-bars, at the same time of the teeth be removed from the center in each rake-bar, then such-a side-delivery rake can also be used as a swath-turner. In'this case, the direction of rotation ofthe rakebars is not important, as the remaining raketeeth form two .so-called revolving drums;

r, and finally, itincludesa specially adapted which turn two swaths. s

It is knownthat, with machines of the types described, great difficulty is 'eXperienced in arranging the so-called working height of the rake-bars in such a manner that all individual working operations can be done with the necessary precise adaptability to, the different conditions;- and furthermore that the rake can be raised sufiiciently hightin order to be transported without difiiculty over very uneven ground.

The accomplishment of this task necessitates a considerable height adjustment of the rake at the inner end, towards the truck, as well as at the outer end, to the rear of the truck. With most machines 01 this type, the adjustment of the rake at the inner end is .very limited, can only be carried out with extreme difiiculty, and by the use of tools.

' With machines of the described type hitherto known', it is moreover impossible to transport and through instance, gateways or the like, on account of the width of the'ralre being too great. Finally, a special disadvantageexists in they fact that, in usingtheknown side-delivery rakes of the type referred to as swathturners, the two groups of rake-teeth or revolving drums, retained in connection with the revolving heads, remainat, an. unchangeable distance apart,.so that it is impossible'to adequately adapt same; to allwidths of swaths. One object of the present invention is to provide a sidedelivery cylinder hay-rake the machine along, narrow roads narrow thoroughfares, for

which can be converted into a swathsturneri and tedder and infwhich the rake canbe moved at all times conveniently andv without the use of; tools'in' the plane determined by, the main axleof-the truck, as well as in a plane verticalvto that" plane. A further object isQto provide fortheadjustment of the height ofithe part ofthe rake towards the truck, astwell asiofA-the; parttoythe rear of the truck, such adjustment: being effected: in every sidewards position fromthe operators seat ELSsWBllgfiSfIOIIl the ground, Besides;

engaging in a greater-speed. If a portionfth'is, the adjustment of, the one end of the rakecis totall independent of the adjustment of its 'ots er'end.. g The invention embraces moreovera special arrangement of the ears,; in, ordertto have the rake-driving shai on a: high level with-' out the use of; specially large 1 road-wheels bearing; for the turning pivots of; the rakebars in vtheir supporting revolving heads.

lVith the object hereinafter mentioned, therake' is; tilt'ably suspended on a shaft. running parallel tothe mainaxle connecting themed-wheels and arrangedzto therear of the truck, SO-tl'lflt'itS centre line intersects with the intersecting point of the shaft on,

whichthe rake lis pivoted-through the re-. volving heads in whichthe; rake-bars terminate with revolvable pivots. it In this intersecting point ofthe center lines, the center of the universal joint, or other equal'means, is placed; these, parts being indispensable for the, transmission of: the rotary motion from the driving shaft totherake-driving shaft. In this manner, the; rake is swingable in the plane vertical to the plane through the center lines of the main axle and th tilting shaft. The entirety of the tiltable rake-frame with: rake togetherwith the. entirety; of thetruck forms a bent lever-like shapeiwith the tilting shaft as therhinge joint;

eral, this: pivot shaft,fw hich is Preferablyvertical, projects. from-the tilting shaft upwards; but without deYi'atingPfI-Qm the nature 0t thewi-nvention, it canjextend down wards from: the tilting} shaft The entire.

The machine is further characterized by" rake-frame can performa circularmovement in limits which relatively lie far apart.

The narrow limit is generally determined by the width of the truck measured over the wheel-hubs. The wide, limit is determined by the largest working width necessary, which, in, consideration of the working conditions generally prevailing, far surpasses the width of the truck. i

In the narrow working width, the machine can therefore be transported without difficulty alongsuch narrow roadways, or through such narrow gateways, as will just permit of the truck, the width of which undergoes no change, passing through. In thewide working width, them'achine can take care of the maximum working conditions. As moreover the rake-frame with rake can be adjusted and set withinthe limits determined by the narrow-"and the wide working widths, the machine can be i 7 adapted to meet specialrequirements -01 working width. In order to operate the machine safely in every possible position of therake-frame, the latter is provided with a locking devicewhieh is fitted 'on the end of the tilting shaft on the truck, and can be secured at the required point.

In order-to be able at all times to obtainthe desired height adjustment of the rake frame, and totally independent of its respeetive working width, the machine is so i constructed that from two points, namely,

from the seat and from the ground, conveniently within reach of the operator,'the socalled inner end of the rake can, independently'of its outer end, he raised or lowered. For this purpose, the truck is movably connected with the adjacent part of the rake frame by means of a rod-connection, whereof the hand-lever is swingably arranged on the truck and is secured in various positions with the aid of a notched quadrant. The handle of'this lever is'at all times in such a position that it can be conveniently ma nipulated from the operators'seat as well as from the ground. The rod-connection on the other end is attached to the so-called in: nor end of the rake-frame in such a manner that this part is raised or lowered withthe movement of the hand-lever. WVith-these I movements, the angle formed on the'vertical 1 plane by the-projections of the center lines of the driving shaft and the centers of the rake-revolving heads is changed, this angle being always obtuse. One limitf-or the position of the machine is determined when the center line of the'driving shaft lies in theplane of the centers of the rake-revolving heads, as this position adjusts the machine to the maximum length. l/Vith all other positions of the'hand-lever and rod connecting the truckwiththe inner end of the theinner part of the rake will come into consideration, as ordinarily one aims to place the revolving shaft'of the rake as high as This high center of the rake driving shaft is of special importance, and up to the present has been attained by using a possible,

vertical driving shaft, or at least a greatly inclined driving shaft, which transmitted the rotary motion by means of special gears; for instance, groups of bevel gears or a chain gear Experience has proved that the use of such special driving means, with steep upright driving shafts and anessentially horizontal rake-shaft, is attended with great disadvantage. i v

The machine the subject of the present invention is free from such disadvantage, inasmuch as the driving shaft is placed on a higher level from the outset, and is not directly coupled with the main axle carrying the road-wheels of the truck. Between the road-wheel axle and the main driving shaft isinserted an intermediate shaft, the latter being arranged below, but parallel with, the driving shaft and coupled thereto by means of spur gear etween the main axle'and the intermediateshaft, an alternative-drive bevel gear is provided, same having two orv more ratios, and suitable Ion means for clutching and dec'lutchingV-In this manner, the universal joint, transmit.- ting the rotary motion from the driving shaftto the rake-drivingshaft, is centered veryhigh, so that the use of specially large road-wheels is not necessary, and an eXcessive angle to the universal joint drive is thereby avoided. This is of distinct importance, because large road-wheels would prevent the machine being made in a compact form.

According to my improved method of construction, not only is the inner end of the rake-frame raised or lowered independently of the width, but an equal independent height adjustment is also obtainable at the outer end of the rake-frame. This outer end of the rakeframe is supported in the known manner by a caster-wheel by means of a-n upright standard. The rear end of therake-frame is arranged. slidingly along this upright standard of the castenwhel, and between the rake-frame and the upper end of the standard is inserteda lever 'ar-, rangement by means of which a raising or lowering of'the rake-frame, in'relation to. the standard of the caster-wheel, is effected. The position of the rake-frame in regardto the caster-wheel is determined by the amount of pull, the point; of, which. starts at Hit 1 like are inserted.

the lever which is linked to the upper end of the standard in a plane through the center line of same. In order to, be able at all times to conveniently raise and lower the end of therake-frame (with rake) =tothe rear of the truck, a raising gear (Worm and sector device) is arranged at the front end of the rake-frame towards the truck and in such a manner that the operating crank is" conveniently within reach from the operators seat, as well as from the ground. Between the adjusting lever linked to the standard of the caster-wheel and the. moving parts of the raising gear, pull-rods or cables Toabsorb some ofthe shocks transmitted from the caster-wheel and its standard to the rake-frame a tension spring can be inserted at some point in the pullrods if deemed necessary or desirable.

The improved machine 'is-therefore characterized by the rake-driving shaft, notwithstanding the employment of comparatively small road-wheels, being centered on a high level; and that, independently of 'thedifferent width positions of the rake, it can be tilted at will Within wide limits. In this Way, the machine, when working, is .easily and quickly adapted to all working and ground conditions. It can also be folded or narrowed fortransport purposes.

Such a machineputs a great strain on the bearings of the rake-bars. In order to ensure easy working in every position, the rake-barsortheir supporting pivotsmust be prevented from binding or cramping.

WViththe unusual adjustments of the rakeframe, and therefore also of the rake, the avoidance of this tendency entails the employment of special means for the bearings of the supporting pivots of the rake-bars.

Every supporting pivot of the rake-bar rcstsliira hearing which, movable toa cer-' tain extent, is held within the arms of a forked bracket fastened to the arms of the revolving heads, and is secured by a pin or bolt, preferably in the center ofthe bearing- 190K and at the outer edge thereof. Byvirtee of this arrangement, the rake-bars acquire great freedom of movement, so that While the teeth always hang downwards properly, in every .width position of the rake, cramping is prevented, l j

One mode of carrying the invention into effect is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, whereof Fig. 1 is a plan view of a side-delivery hay-rake, the driving gear being shown in section; Fig. 2 is a side elevation; Fig. 3 a horizontal section of the driving gear on a larger scale; Fig. 4 a side view taken on the opposite side of the left hand portion of Fig. 2, but on. a larger scale; and Figs. 5 and 6 show details hereinafter particularly referred to.

The road-wheels 1 and 2 are mounted on the main axle 3, which in turnis mounted with the draw-frame 7 of the truck, are

fastened on thegear-frame 6 of the truck.

The pulling shafts 8 and 9 are connected with the draw-frame 7 in the usual manner; The revolving heads 10 and 11 of the rake (four-armed revolving spiders .in the present instance) are supported by the rake-frame, the principal members of which bear the numerals 12 and 13. The revolving heads 10,11, which may. also be constructed as. cylinder discs, support four rake-bars 14, 15, 16and 17, to whiclnby means of a number of brackets, pipes or pipe-pieces, 18, are fastened to thecentre, part 19, which is detachable with a view to enabling the hang? ing-down rake-teeth 20, fastened to these pipe-pieces, to be removed from-the center of the rake.

The so-calledouter part of the rake-frame at the rear of the truck is supported by a caster-wheel 21 mounted .on an upright standard 22, the arrangement being such that the bracket 23 can slide upon the standard 22. I

The driving gears are illustrated in Figs. land 2, but will bemore readily understood on reference to Figs. 3 and lp Free to rotate on the main axle-3 are tWObBVGl' gears 24 and25 with different tooth ratios and gears 24 and 25, the double pinion 26 meshes according to the position occupied by the hand-operated clutch 27, which slides on a feather on the main axle 3. \Vhen the machine is used as a rake, the bevel wheel 24. is in gear; but when required to operate as a tedder, the clutch part2? isreleased from the bevel wheel 24 and engaged with the bevel wheel 25. r The double pinion QGis keyed upon the intermediate shaft 28, .the latter revolving intwo bearings attached to the frame 6' of the truck. Upon the shaft 28 is also keyed a spur-gear 29 Which meshes with a spur-gear 30 keyed upon the driving shaft 31. this shaft also rotatingin bearings attached to the frame 6. To the rear eirtremity'of the shaft 31 is secured thedriving member 32 of a universal joint. In bearings 34:, 35, arranged on the rear portion of the truck-frame 6,.is mounted a tilting shaft 33, to the end of which, towards the gear,a hinge-like bracket 36 is secured; whilst at the opposite endof thetilting shaft 33 is a locking bracket 37. The center line 1 of the tilting shaft :33 intersects with the center point of the universal joint, whereof the one part 32 is connected with, the driving .shaft 31, whilst "the other part '38 is connected-with the rake-drivinghead or shaft The hinge-bracket 36, secured to the tilt mg shaft '33, is in connection with an adj ust-. able hand-lever39 bymeans of a rod.40

linked to bothparts. This hand-lever can 1 arranged face to face. With these bevel be set within its limits atwill with the aid of a notched. quadrant 4C1 fastened to the frame of the truck 6. Between the truck and the hinge-bracket is a spiral spring 42, arranged about a spring-rod 59, to afford assistance in raising the rake-frame. The rod 59 is free to slide at its upper end through the hinge-bracket 36.

The hinge-bracket 36 embodies :an upright hinge-shaft43 to which the frame 12 of the rake-frame is connected by. means of a bracket 44. The center line of the hingeshaft 43, like that of the-tilting shaft 33,

intersects with the center of the universal joint consisting of the parts 32 and 38. By this arrangement, the entire rake-frame can be tilted on the shaft 33 or can be swung around the shaft 43 at will, thereby permitting therake to assume various angular positionswithout interfering in any way with the transmission of the rotary motion from the driving shaft 31 to the rake-driving shaft 10. at

A portion of the rake-frame 13 is semicircular in form, this portion resting in the locking bracket 37 This semi-circular part of the brace 13 has a number of holes A, B, C, D, any one of which can be brought into alignment with a corresponding hole in the frame-lock 37 (Fig. '1). The locking lever 45, held in position by means of a spring, permits of the rake-frame being secured within the limits set by the holes AD.

The working width of the rake is determined hereby. The maximum width of the machine is shown in Fig. l by the full lines, while the'minimum working width, the so called narrow position, is shown by the dotted lines. From Fig. 1 suitable proportions for the parts and their general arrangement will be readily gathered, the numerals attached to the parts when in the narrow position being distinguished by the affix a.

The end of the rake-frame whichis to the rear of the truck is raised or lowered in the example illustrated by turning the crank 46, thereby operating a worm 47 which meshes with a worm-gear sector d8. A pulL rod 50 is connected with this sector and a chain .49 runs over a sheave 51 near the rearward part of the rake-frame; From the other end of the chain 49, asimilar pull-rod 52 leads to a lever 53, pivoted in the upper part of the standard 22 of the caster-wheel 21. For this arrangement, comprising several parts, there may be substituted a continuous cable fastened directly to the lever 53. I

It will have been realized that the handlever 39, which effects theheight adjustment of the end of the rake-frame towards the truck, as well as the crank 46 of raising gear 4748, sustain only slight changes, of position in all positions of the rake,and are at all times conveniently within reach of the operators seat. 54. 7 Owing to thespecial arrangement of the vdriving. mechanism whereby relatively small road-wheels are employable, the construction heightfofthe bars 1l-17 rest in bearings 55 between-the arms of a forked bracket 56, which may be riveted to the revolving head, as shown, or secured to the spokes or arms 57 of the cylinder-spider. Each of the bearing boxes 55 is formed externallyv with a semi-circular notch at right angles to its bore, in which notch rests the stem of a cross-pin-58,'said pin also passing throughholes in the=ends of the armsof the forkedbracket 56. The bearing boxes 55 are, under such conditions, affording freedom for movement thereby within certain limits,.avoidingthe risk of binding or cramping theaction of the rakebars l.4l17. 1 Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim:

1. In a combined side delivery rake and tedder, the combination of a transverse axle, an obliquely arranged rake shaft, a shaft about which the rake may be tilted, said shaft being in parallelism with the axle and having its axis intersecting the axis of the oblique rake shaft.

2. In a combined side delivery rake and tedder, the combination of a laterally folding rake frame, an upright shaft about which this folding n'iovement takes place, and a transverse shaft on which said frame may be tilted up or down, the axes of the upright and transverse shafts intersecting.

3. In a combined side delivery rake and tedder, the combination of an axle, a rake including a shaft, means for driving the rake shaft, said means including gearing on the axle for driving a counter-shaft, and intermediate shaft above and driven, from the counter-shaft, a universal joint connecting the intermediate shaft to the rake shaft, and

a clutch for controlling the gearing.

4. In a rake, a main frame, a transverse shaft on theframe, a-rake frame tiltable up and down about said shaft, an upright shaft about which the rake frame is transversely foldable, and an oblique rake driving shaft included in the rake, the axes of all three shafts lntersecting.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

PARKE RANDALL. 

